Karachiites descend en masse on The Bohra Bazaar

Festival showcased cuisine and culture of Bohra community

KARACHI: For the first time in the city, the Bohra community opened its doors to outsiders during a colourful festival, ‘The Bohra Bazaar’, allowing people the opportunity to enjoy food, clothing and other items the community is known for.

The two-day festival was organised at Frere Hall and was inaugurated on Saturday by Mayor Wasim Akhtar and senior members of the Bohra community, including representative of spiritual leader Syedena Saifuddin in Pakistan, Naeem Muhiuddin, Mustensar Poonawala and Mufaddal Saifuddin.

Akhtar had congratulated the community for organising such a huge festival and said that such festivals help promote small industries and extend the businesses even further.



He requested citizens to visit the festival in order to support and engage the Bohra community, which has been living in the city and spreading peace and interfaith harmony for years.

The event was held at Frere Hall. PHOTO: EXPRESS

The festival attracted numerous people who were interested in the diverse cuisine and cultural stalls on display.

One of the organisers, Murtuza Najmi, said that the festival has more than 100 stalls set up and their volunteers are in coordination with the police and Rangers to oversee security measures.

He added that their community has been engaged community-engaging events in the past, however, this is the first time that they have opened their doors to the general public.

Student Momina Siddiqui told The Express Tribune that she has an interest in learning about different communities and the way they live, therefore she was very excited to attend after seeing the event on social media.



She added that by holding such an event, it provided chances of inter-community engagements and helps people know each even better. Moreover it wipes out any misunderstandings between them.

The event featured a variety of cuisines. PHOTO: EXPRESS

The main attraction of the festival was a separate area where women were exhibiting their homemade products including clothing and food.

Mrs Akbar, a housewife was interested in buying different pickles and chutneys at a stall owned by Raheema Najmi. She added that this is the first time she has seen khajoor imli [date tamarind] chutney before and she was very interested in purchasing it. Plum chutney and lemon pickle was also offered at cheap rates at the stall. Najmi said she prepares the pickles at home and supplies it to people in her neighbourhood to earn money.

Other things offered by female exhibitors were bangles, bags, kurtis, jewellery, cosmetics and souvenirs.

Participants crowded around food stalls that offered khausa, khaman dhokla, puri chaat, nimco and samosas being prepared on the spot.

Muttahida Qaumi Movement – Pakistan Convener Farooq Sattar also visited the festival and appreciated the contribution and efforts of Bohra community in organising events that aid in community-building. He added that he has seen how the Bohra community makes efforts for social issues like traffic awareness, awareness walks and medical camps.

Many Bohra women put up stalls at the bazaar. PHOTO: EXPRESS

He added that he liked how the community invited every citizen to their festival and said he enjoyed the festivities.